Europe's rights strengthened by Trump's victory - does it stay long?

Europe's rights strengthened by Trump's victory - does it stay long?

In his The designated President Donald Trump has a new "Golden era Americas" Auf and claims that he had launched the "greatest political movement ever". Trump and his environment celebrated the political comeback of the Republicans as a triumph about "Wokeism", liberal immigration policy and other measures from the bidges.

Europe's rights observed attentively

European rights take these developments as a model. Many populist politicians in Europe hope that Trump's return - a transatlantic ally who promotes the same conservative, Christian values and has a similar hatred of progressive politics - will benefit their interests at home. This could help normalize their anti-immigration and nationalist rhetoric. Geert Wilders, the populist leader of the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), congratulated Trump on November 6th on X and said: "Congratulations, President Trump ... never stop, keep fighting and winning!"

reactions from Europe

Also Alice Weidel, the co-chair of the alternative for Germany (AfD), joined the congratulations and explained that not "Woke Hollywood", but the "working American population" decided on the election outcome. For Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian Prime Minister of the Fidesz Party, it was a "urgently needed victory for the world".

Armida van Rij, a senior scientist at Chatham House, emphasizes that Far-Right parties in Europe should not be seen as a homogeneous group. Nevertheless, there are some common, overlapping topics among the European populists, which can also be found in Trump's concept, such as "Anti-Woke culture, traditional values, rejection of ecological change and an anti-migrant agenda."

The European Green Deal and its critics

the Green deal Europe faces the resistance of Far-Rights. Want to completely ignore climate protection measures. Similarly, Trump has promised to undermine practically all efforts by President Joe Biden to reduce carbon emissions and to switch from fossil fuels.

rhetoric of Europeans and Trump

Another common topic between Trump's agenda and his European allies is the strong picture of what makes an American or European. Van Rij explains that this sensation is reflected in the language of the Far-Right. In Austria, provocative anti-migration logans such as "Home Love instead of Moroccan thieves" are common in the Freedom Party (FPÖ). In Germany, the anti-Islam rhetoric in AfD posters with the slogan "Burkas? We prefer bikinis".

Trump as a catalyst for European populists

Analyzes of the Center for European Reform show that Trump could strengthen the Far-Right in Europe by "normalizing and reinforcing" its ideas. Trump himself used controversial rhetoric while he expressed his hard views of immigration, for example by describing the USA as the "garbage dump in the world".

A prominent Far-Right Fieli who could benefit from a Trump Presidency is Hungary's long-time Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. He was one of the most visible populists in Europe who supported Trump, and even stated that he has celebrated his choice with vodka.

orbán and the geopolitical tensions

Orbán, the closest ally of Russia's President wladimir Putin EU criticizes EU because of its introduction of anti-LGBTQ laws and its increasingly authoritarian regime. While he provokes the anger of his European colleagues, Orbán's relationship with Trump seems to be positive because he supports his presidency and Trump praises the back of the prime minister.

van Rij believes that Orbán could put aside with Trump in the USA in the USA in the USA, even more determined by his concerns about the rule of law, both in Germany and in the EU context. She argues that if Trump does not adhere to the rule of law, why should someone else do it?

The future of the populist movement in Europe

Overall, van Rij sees "a lot of agreement in thinking" between Trump and some populist parties in Europe. Nevertheless, visible, opposing interests and conflicts could soon arise. It emphasizes economic policy issues that are an example of this.

Trump's promise of an America-first trade policy has put the EU onto a tilt, which could possibly have a negative impact on populist leaders who are trying to get power.

Marine Le Pen, which leads the populist National Rally (marginal), reacted more reserved to Trump's election victory - possibly a sign of early concern. Data from Eurostat show that France in 2023 was the fourth largest EU exporter from goods to the United States. Van Rij explains that France would be disproportionately affected by Trump's economic policy measures.

The challenges for Orbán and his plans

There are also reasons to assume that Orbán's jubilation could be premature. Orbán's strong business relationships with China's XI Jinping could appear as an important point of dispute. While Hungary has successfully put on Chinese investments, some Republicans are already concerned about this close bond.

van Rij notes that "China is viewed by some in the Republican camp as the greatest enemy number one", and Trump shares this view. This could make it difficult for Orbán to represent its interests in both Trump and XI.

Fix points out that during Trump's profit "significantly strengthening European populists" that should not be overlooked inner tensions within the populist movements. "The variety of European populists will make the biggest challenge to benefit from the warm air of historical law that is blowing from Washington," says Fix.

"Of course all populist parties share the topic of migration and anti-Link rhetoric, but there are big differences between Trump and Le Pen in economic policy. Meloni is a supporter of Ukraine-Trump, the closer you look, the more nuanced it becomes."

CNN reporter Ronald Brownstein contributed to this report.